Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) shares are rising on Thursday morning.
At the time of writing, the ASX 200 share is up 1.5% to $9.09.
This compares to the benchmark ASX 200 index, which is up 0.3% in early trade.
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Why are Challenger shares rising today?
Investors have been bidding the annuities company's shares higher this morning in response to the release of its first quarter update.
According to the release, total life sales were up 4% during the quarter to $2.5 billion.
Lifetime annuity sales were up 16% to $320 million during the quarter. Management notes that this was supported by continued demand for guaranteed income solutions, particularly in retirement and aged care where CarePlus achieved its highest ever quarter of sales.
Fixed term annuity sales grew strongly and were up 29% over the prior corresponding period to $1.1 billion. This was largely driven by new term annuity mandate sales.
Retail fixed term annuity sales decreased 18% during the quarter. Management notes that this was due to its decision to maintain a disciplined approach to pricing shorter duration business in a competitive fixed income market.
Over in Japan, its annuity sales were stable at $246 million for the period.
The ASX 200 share's funds under management fell 3% to $109.6 billion. This reflects net outflows of $4.9 billion and client distributions of $0.6 billion, partially offset by $2.3 billion of positive investment market movements.
Commenting on its performance, managing director and CEO, Nick Hamilton, said:
Building on last financial year's strong performance, Challenger has started FY26 with continued momentum in annuity sales while progressing a range of strategic initiatives to support future growth.
Sales across our retirement income products have remained strong, supported by demand for guaranteed lifetime income and an increasing number of Australians entering retirement and aged care. Fixed term annuity sales benefited from several new mandates with superannuation funds, offsetting competition in the retail term market, where we continue to remain disciplined on pricing shorter-term annuities.
Outlook
Management believes it is tracking to its guidance in FY 2026. As a result, it has reaffirmed its FY 2026 normalised basic earnings per share guidance range of between 66 cents per share and 72 cents per share.
Following today's move higher, Challenger shares are now an impressive 40% over the past 12 months.
